Are Arabic and social studies at the institute considered knowledge for the sake of Allah, and is it better to abandon studying them or to enroll in them for someone whose primary intention is to obtain a certificate?

Specializations such as grammar, morphology, and media are not among the religious sciences that are forbidden to learn for other than the sake of Allah. Rather, they are worldly sciences, and there is no harm in seeking them for worldly purposes. The religious sciences are those through which one seeks the countenance of Allah. The warning mentioned in the Hadith pertains to those who learn religious knowledge solely for the purpose of seeking worldly gain. It excludes those who seek Allah's pleasure through their knowledge, even if they have a slight inclination towards worldly benefits.